Skip to main content

Can Cat Feces be the Cause of Your DWI?

Many DWIs involve risky behavior and accidents.  Alcohol may not be the only reason for such 'out of character' or abnormal behavior.  A new field of research is developing (as of the last 11+ years) into parasites that affect the brain. It has become increasingly clear that what was once deemed a harmless parasite, toxoplasma gondii (found in cat feces), is in fact dangerous to the brain. Jaroslav Flegr published his research in the May 2007 Schizophrenia Bulletin (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2526142/ ) some of his findings regarding this cat parasite that attaches to human hosts. First off, 80% of the population may be infected. In Prague, Czechoslovakia it was determined that Toxoplasma- infected subjects were 2.65x higher to be involved in a traffic accident either as a pedestrian or driver. The effects on neuropathological and neuroimmunological pathways are a cause and effect from how the body protects itself from this pathogen, and how the parasite attacks the brain. It is important to know the duration of the toxoplasma infection and what stage it has reached.  The field of parasitology and its effects on people is a budding science which holds many answers. The practicing criminal defense lawyer should take into account these possibilities and their effects on human behavior where applicable.

I became aware of this, when a client who had recently graduated with a Biology degree, emphasis in parasitology (even published in this field) expounded to me the recent findings and directions where this research and it modern applicability are headed.  Sure, it makes sense that alcohol and other mood altering chemicals can directly affect behavior; but it makes just as much sense that damage done by parasites burrowing into and destroying neuropathways can create just as much, if not more damage.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Texas Not Following Accrediting Agency Standards in Blood Testing

Mimi Coffey in a Gas Chromatography Lab 2023  Everyone knows you can’t compare apples to oranges yet this is what many Texas forensic laboratories are doing. ANSI/ANAB standards (who accredit Texas crime labs) are very specific on both quality control and method validation requiring some whole blood samples to be tested to adjust for the matrix effects that blood samples introduce in gas chromatography testing. Yet, most north Texas labs still ignore these “shall” (not optional) mandates opting to use aqueous samples (water based). Blood has compounds that interfere in analytical readings that water based calibrators and controls go not have. Does this affect the result? 100%. Absolutely. One study in Austin estimated an increase in alcohol (ethanol) by 20%. This is just one Texas government lab’s findings.  Bottom line- don’t trust the blood result. The State must do better. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Covid-19, Violent Offender Release

The News has reported that inmates in jails are being released due to covid-19.  Is this true? Yes. It has been reported and confirmed that inmates in Harris County, Dallas County, some Texas prisons and a juvenile detention center have the coronavirus.  This is a problem due to increased community spread in the jail environment; which outside of putting inmates' health in danger, endangers the lives of the jail and prison staff and adds more pressure to the hospital community. Are jails and prisons releasing inmates? Yes. This is not a blanket wide release of everyone in jail or prison. Each state, jurisdiction (federal or state), and county is making their own guidelines on release.  75% of all inmates in Texas county jails are not convicted. They are awaiting their case resolutions.   What about the release of violent offenders? Govenor Abbot issued executive order GA 13 which forbids the release of anyone who has been convicted of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Can A DWI Affect My Eligibility For Global Entry?

In general, all United States citizens and lawful permanent residents possess eligibility to apply for Global Entry. This is a program through Customs and Border Protection that allows for expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. That said, Customs my deny eligibility for a variety of reasons such as providing false information on the application and a finding of customs violation for *any* country (not just US Customs violations). However, there are 3 important reasons related to criminal defense that everyone should know. First, Customs may deny eligibility if you have been denied for the purchase of a firearm. This restriction is important because firearm restrictions may, on occasion, be a condition of a criminal charge, even if the charge is dismissed. Further, a denial of a firearm purchase may show Customs that you are not a “low-risk” traveler based on the reason for denial. Second, Customs may deny eligibility if you are the subject of an *ongoing investiga...
Post a Comment
Read more